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YouGov Poll: Just 8% of students advised to seek apprenticeships

Less than 1 in 12 students (8 per cent) aged 15 to 18 in school or college in 2016/2017 are being advised to seek a work-based apprenticeship afterwards, according to new YouGov survey findings commissioned by the ECA, JTL, and the Joint Industry Board.

In contrast, some 85 per cent of students are instead encouraged to go into further or higher education, such as university study, after finishing at school or college. Just 3 per cent were advised to seek a job.

In addition, over one-quarter of students (28 per cent) said they had never even been spoken to about work-based apprenticeships by their school or college.

The findings come as students across the UK today (24 August) find out their GCSE results, with many soon to make decisions about their future careers path.

Alex Meikle, Director of Employment and Skills at leading electrotechnical and engineering services trade association the ECA, commented:

“These findings show that too many young people are effectively being led up the garden path by careers advice in schools, which is significantly out of step with the needs of industry and future employers.

“There is a growing recognition of the value of undertaking apprenticeships, particularly engineering, and the electrotechnical industry will be looking to undertake further work with schools and colleges to encourage greater takeup among students.”

“There are some fantastic opportunities out there for young people to start an apprenticeship and embark on a career in a highly skilled and well paid job. However schools need to do more to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships, and we look forward to working with them on this agenda.”

“An electrical apprenticeship is a rigorous and academically demanding training programme which lasts longer than a first degree, but allows the apprentice to secure skills which are in high demand and to earn while they learn without accruing any student debt.”

Just 1 in 14 (7 per cent) students were ever encouraged to consider finding a job in a skilled trade. This compares to 3 in 10 being encouraged into roles within medicine such as a doctor (31 per cent), education such as a teacher (31 per cent) and legal / finance (30 per cent). 36 per cent were however advised to consider careers in engineering.

The ECA is the leading trade association representing employers within the UK’s electrotechnical and engineering services industry, JTL is the leading apprenticeships training provider, and the JIB sets the standards for employment, welfare and apprentice training within the industry.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,001 children aged 15 to 18 (of which 966 of them went to school or college in 2016/ 2017). Fieldwork was undertaken between 11th - 22nd August 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB children (aged between 15 and 18).